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APPLICATION FILED IULY l5, 1912.

Patented Aug. 15, 1916.

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APPLICATION FILED JULY I5. 1912.

Patented Aug. 15, 1916.

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J. PATTEN.

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APPLICATxoN FILED 1uLY15, |912.

Patented Aug. 15, 1916.

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APPLICATION FILED JULY I5. 1912- Y Patented Aug. 15, 1916. OO 6 SHEETS-SHEET 5. D

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APPLICATION FILED .IULY 15| 1912.

Patented Aug. 15, 1916.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOHN PATTEN, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR OF SEVENTY-FIVE ONE- HUNDREDTI-IS TO C. WILBUR MILLER AND ERNEST B. MILLER.

GUN.

To all 'whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, JOHN PATTEN, a citi- Zen of the United States, residing at Baltimore city, State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Guns, of which the following is a specifica- In order to maintain accuracy in iring it is necessary that a projectile should rotate rapidly upon its longitudinal axis, and to produce such rotation it has been customary to provide the interior walls of the guns with spiral grooves or rifiing, and to provide the'projectile with bands of copper or other soft metal adapted to engage the rifling in the gun and impart rotation to the projectile as it passes through the barrel. This means of rotating the projectile is open to several serious objections. In the first place, a considerable proportion of the energy of the powder gases is expended in imparting rotation to the projectile and the velocity of the projectile and its range are correspondingly reduced. Of the energy so expended less than one per cent. of the total energy of the powder gases appears as the kinetic energy of rotation of the projectile, whereas several per cent. is lost as friction between the projectile and the riliing of the gun and heats the gun. A more serious objection is that the friction between the projectile and the gun which is necessary to produce the rotation of the former very rapidly wears out the riling` and renders the gun unt for use. It is well known that riiied high power guns can only be relied upon to fire from one hundred to two hundred and fifty times, after which they are useless, (see article on page 141 Soient/lo American of May 18, 1912).

According to the present invention I dispense with the riling and provide the gun with a smooth cylindrical bore. The projectile accurately fits the bore of the gun and is rotated in the gun, before the powder charge is fired, by means independent of the gun and the main powder charge. In my prior application above referred to I provide a turbine, operated by compressed air,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented ling. 15, 1916.

Application filed July 15, 1912. Serial No. 709,472.

for rotating the projectile and the present invention is an improvement on this in that it does away with the use of compressed air and the mechanism necessary to supply the compressed air to the turbine.

By providing a smooth bore gun and having means independent of the main powder charge for rotating` the proj ectile before the main powder charge is exploded, the loss of energy due to friction of the projectile on the rifiing is eliminated and as this loss is usually several per cent. of the total energy of the powder gases, by the elimination of this loss an additional amount of energy is available for giving the projectile higher velocity. In the case of rifled guns the velocity of the projectile is limited by this friction, and it has been foundv that when velocities much in excess of from 2,000 to 2,200 feet per second are employed, the friction between the projectile and the rifling either destroys the rotating rings on the projectile or so rapidly deteriorates the riiiing that the life of the gun is greatly shortened. In modern gun designing therefore, a compromise is struck between the velocity of the projectile and the life of the gun so that the velocity is sufficiently high to do execution without having such excessive wear on the rifiing that the gun would not be able to endure many shots. In the smooth bore gun which I employ I not only utilize the energy which has been heretofore lost on the rifling of the gun to give theprojectile higher velocity, but it is possible to increase the powder charge and thereby increase the velocity of the projectile as much as is desired Within the limits of strength of the g In my present invention I provide a liquid actuated wheel for rotating the projectile and supplying liquid to this wheel under very high pressure by means of a separate explosion chamber having a body of liquid therein, this explosion chamber being connected with the nozzles of the wheel by means of suitable pipes. I provide means above the liquid for `firing a charge of powder in the explosion chamber so that the pressure of the gases generated by the powder will force the liquid out of the chamber and against' the buckets of the wheel.

The invention may be embodied in various mechanisms, some of which are described herein in detail, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure 1 is a central vertical section through the breech of the gun and the mechanism for rotating the projectile. Fig. 2 is a transverse section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3`is a horizontal section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4.-4 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a transverse section through the spindle for rotating` the projectile and showing one means for connecting the spindle to the projectile. Fig. 6 is a section on line 6-6 of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a central longitudinal section through the breech of a gun and showing a modification. Fig. 8 is a transverse section on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a detail showing another form of coupling means between the spindle and the arojectile. Fig. 10 is a view` similar to Figl and showing still another modification.

Referring to the drawings 10 indicates the gun barrel, 11 the breech block, 12 the mush room and 13 the packing between the mushroom and the breech block. The projectile is shown at 14 and the powder charges at 15,

these charges being arranged in a powder chamber 16 which is preferably of a larger diameter than the bore of the gun, thus providing a shoulder 17 which may be used to stop the projectile at the proper point when it has rammed into the gun. The projectile is preferably provided with a flange 18 adapted to cooperate with the shoulder 17 to stop the projectile. This flange serves also as a cup valve or washer to prevent the powder gases passing out between the projectile and the gun, thus preventing any waste of energy and insuring a maximum effect from the.powder used. The flange 18 is secured in place by means of a ring 19 having a reduced portion 2O into which the iiange 18 may be folded as the projectile starts its movement out of the gun after the powder has been ired. The fiange 18 is preferably constructed of tough ductile metal, such as copper, so it will be readily folded over and permit the projectile to move out of the gun. rFhe firing cap is shown at 21 and may be of any preferred construction.

For the purpose of rotating the projectile before the powder charge is lired an axially arranged spindle is provided and any one of several forms of connection may be used between the spindle and the projectile. As one form of such connection I have shown in Figs. 1 to 6, the spindle as being cut away at 24 to form an abutment 25 for a pawl 26, this pawl being provided with a cylindrical portion 27 forming a pivot which is arranged in a suitable recess 28 in the projectile. The projectile is also provided with a recess 29 into which the pawl 26 may be swung when disengaged from the spindle 22.

In order to hold the pawl 26 in engagement with the abutment 25 as shownin Fig. 5, a spring 30 is provided, this spring having one end secured in a plug 31 arranged at the bottom of the recess 28 and having its outer end extending axially through the pivotal portion of the pawl and bent over and lald in a groove 32 in the outer surface of the pawl. In assembling these parts the spring 30 is put under initial tension so that it always has a tendency to swing the pawl into the position shown in Fig. 5. From Figs. 5 and 6 it will be seen that when the spindle 22 is rotated in the direction of the arrow the projectile will be caused to rotate with it, and that after the proper speed of rotation has been attained by the projectile, the spindle 22 may be stopped and the pawl 26 will be thrown out into the recess 29 and thus permit the projectile to rotate independently of the spindle. In order to prevent the pawl 26 from being thrown out of engagement with the spindle 22 by centrifugal force, the abutment 25 may be so arranged that the point 33 ofthe pawl would cause the projectile to be forced ahead of the spindle in moving the pawl out of engagement with the spindle. Since the centrifugal force could under no circumstances be suflicient to thus move the projectile it will be seen thatv the pawl will be prevented from becoming disengaged from the abutment 25 at all times except when the projectile rotates faster than the spindle.

The powder charges are provided with central longitudinal openings 34 through which the spindle 22 extends. The spindle also extends through the mushroom 12 and in order to prevent the powder gases from escaping through the bore in the mushroom suitable packing 35 may be provided, the packing being held in position by means of a ring 85. The mushroom has a rearward extension 3G which is secured to the breech block 11 in any suitable manner, as by means of a nut 87, this nut limiting the inward movement of the mushroom. Secured to the gun is a hinge 88 having a pivot 39 by means of which a frame or housing 40 is pivotally connected with the gun. The mushroom extension 36 extends through a sleeve 41 carried by the frame 40 and is provided rearwardly of the sleeve with a collar or nut 42 which is adapted to engage the end of the sleeve 41. The spindle is provided with a collar 43 arranged in the mushroom extension 36 and the thrust bearing 44 is arranged between the outer side of this collar and a block 45 having a handle 46 and connected with the mushroom extension by means of suitable screw threads, these threads haying certain portions cut away, whereby the block may be disengaged from the extension 36 by a partial rotation, this arrangement being similar to that usually employed in securing breech blocks to the gun. The thrust bearlOO ing 44 may be of any suitable construction and for purposes of illustration I have shown the same as being composed -of a series of annular plates.

The spindle 22 has arranged at its outer end a turbine wheel 47, provided on its periphery with buckets 48 and a brake drum 49. The wheel 47 may have an axially eX- tending iange 48 provided with a suitable groove 49 which co-perates with a correspending groove 50 in the frame 40, for a purpose to be described hereinafter. The turbine wheel 47 is arranged in a chamber 51 in the frame 40, this chamber preferably extending a considerable distance above and below the wheel and being provided at the top with an o-utlet 52. Nozzles 53 and 54 are arranged to discharge water or any other preferred fluid against the buckets 48 for the purpose of rotating the wheel 47. The nozzle 53 is supplied with water by means of a suitable pipe 55 which is connected with a header 56 preferably arranged below the chamber 51. The nozzle 54 is likewise connected with the header 56 by means of a pipe 57. A brake band 58 surrounds the brake drum 49 and has one end secured to the frame 40 by means of a pivot 59. The opposite end of the brake band extends downwardly and is connected with a cross head 60 by means of aI pin 61. An abutment 62 is secured to the frame 40 above the cross head 60 and a spring 68 is arranged between this abutment and the` cross headv and normally tends to set the brake band 58 on the drum 49. A cylinder' 64 is secured to the frame 40 in the lower part of the chamber 51 and has arranged therein a piston 65 which is connected with the cross head 60 by means of the piston rod 66. IA pipe 67 communicates with the interior of the cylinder 64- below the piston 65 and is .connected with the header 56.

For the purpose of manually releasing the brake 58 a lever 68 is provided, this lever being arranged on a suitable shaft which is mounted in the frame 40 and has at its inner end a yoke 69 which engages the cross head 60, whereby the cross head may be raised by lifting the lever 68. Suitable pins 58 may be provided to limit the outward movement of the brake band and thus effect a complete release from the drum 49.

The header 56 may have formed integrally therewithan upright cylinder 70, the lower end of this cylinder being in communication with the horizontally extending passage 71 in the header, which passage is also in communication with the pipes 55, 57 a'nd67. The outer end of the passage `71 may be closed by a removable plug 72, whereby access to said passage may be had. The cylin- -der may be secured to the frame 40 in anyi suitable manner as by providing the cyhnder with a flange 73` and connecting this flange with a suitable flange 74 on the frame 40 by bolts 75. At the upper end of the cylinder 7 0 the bore thereof is preferably reduced to form a cartridge chamber 76 and the upper end of the cartridge chamber may be closed by means of a suitable cap 77 which is connected to the cylinder 70 in such a manner as to be readily removed therefrom. A suitable ring 78 which engages the iange on the cartridge 79 may be provided between the upper end of the cylinder 70 and the cap 77 to facilitate the removal of the empty cartridge. The cartridge 79 may be of any preferred construction containing a powder charge 80 and is arranged in the chamber 76. Suitable firing mechanism may be provided on the cap 77 for firing the cartridge. For purposes of illustration I have shown this firing mechanism as consisting of a firing gin 81 which extends through a suitable opening in the cap, and a hammer 82 arranged in a. tube 88 secured to the cap and adapted to be forced against the firing pin by means of a suitable spring 84. The hammer 82 has connected therewith a rod 85 having a handle 86 at its upper end which is adapted to be grasped by the hand of the gunner to draw the hammer upwardly so as to compress the spring 84 preparatory 'to ring. As an auxiliary to this firing mechanism and for the purpose of preventing a premature discharge of the cartridge I have pro vided a lever 87 which is pivoted at 88 to a bracket 89 carried by the cap 77. This lever has its inner end 90 projected through asuitable longitudinal slot 91 in the tube 88 and adapted to be arranged below the hammer 82 to prevent the latter from striking the firing pin 81, as clearly shown in Fig. 2.

V ith this mechanism the cartridge may be fired by pressing down on the outer end 92 of the lever 87, whereby the hammer 82 will be raised until the end 90 of the lever 87 moves out of engagement with the hammer, thus permitting the spring 84 to force the hammer down against the firing pin. IVith the parts in the position shown in Fig. 2 it is obvious that the hammer will be prevented from prematurely striking the firing pin.

The cylinder 70, the header 56 and the pipes F5, 5( and 67 normally stand filled with water or other suitable liquid to the level u., as shown in Fig. 2. llfhen it is dcsired to .fire the gun, the parts will be arranged in the position shown in the drawings. By pressing down on vthe handle 92 the cartridge 8O .may be fired as above described. The pressure of the gases in the cylinder 70 above the water forces the water upwardly through the pipes 55, 57 and 67, whence it is discharged throi'igh the 'nozzles 53 and 54 and also lifts the piston 65, thus releasing the brake 58. The water will be discharged from the nozzles and 54 at an enormous velocity, the velocity, of course, depending upon the charge of powder 80 used in the cartridge, and the wheel 47 will be instantly set in rotation. The motion of the wheel is transmitted to the projectile by means of the spindle 22 and as soon as the water has all been discharged through the nozzles 53 and 54, the gases will pass out through these nozzles into the chamber 51 and escape through the' opening 52. The water discharged through the nozzles will collect in the lower part of the chamber 51 and in the pipe 93 which is connected with the chamber 51. When the gases are discharged through the nozzles 53 and 54 the pressure in the header 56 is reduced and the piston 65 will descend under the action of the spring 63 and set the brake 58 and thus stop the wheel 47. Owing to the spindle 22 being connected with the projectile by-means of the pawl 26, it will be seen that the projectile will continue to rotate after ,the spindle has been stopped.

When the powder charge 15 in the gun is discharged an enormous pressure is createdf in the pressure chamber, this pressure, acting on the mushroom 12 and the ring 35 forces these parts rearward a slight distance and compresses the packings 13 and 35. The packing -will engage the spindle 22 so tightly. that the inertia of the wheel 47 would be liable tov twist ofi' the shaft, due

to a sudden stopping of the spindle by the l'iacking 35 in case the powder charge 15 were fired before the wheel 47 stopped rotating. I have therefore provided means for automatically firing the powder charge p -15 when the wheel 47 has come to rest.

This means consists of a centrifugal governing device which may be carried by the wheel 47 and as shown in the drawingswconsists of the centrifugal weights 94 which are connected to the wheel 47 by means of theI pivots 95 and are provided with the radially projecting fingers 96 which engage a suitable groove on the exterior of a sliding sleeve 97; The outer end of the spindle 22 may be reduced, as shown at 98, and a spring 99 may be arranged in the annular space between the end 98 of the spindle and the sleeve 97, this spring tending to move the sleeve outwardly and draw the centrifugal weights toward the axis of the wheel. An arm 100 is mounted on a pivot 101, carried by the frame 40, and is thus adapted to be swung to and fro. The arm 100 has pivoted thereto a lever 102 which carries at its lower end a pawl 103, the inner end of the pawl being pressed downwardly by a suitable spring 104 and the outer end of the pawl being adapted to engage a suitable abutment 105, on the lever 102, to limit the movement of the pawl under the influence of the spring 104. The sleeve 97 is provided with a shoulder 106 for a purpose to be described hereinafter. A spring 107 carried by the arm 100 forces the upper end of the lever 102 outwardly. Electrical contact pieces 108 and 109 are carried by the arm 100 and the lever 102, respectively, and are insulated therefrom and adapted when in contact to close a circuit 110 by means of which the cap 21 is exploded to re the powder charge 15. The operation of this mechanism 1s as follows: When the wheel 47 is rotated, the centrifugal weights 94 swing outwardly and draw the sleeve 97 inwardly so that the inward end of the pawl 103 drops down on the reduced outer end of the sleeve 97. When the wheel 47 is brought to rest, the spring 99 moves the sleeve 97 outwardly and the engagcnient of the inward end of the pawl 103 with the shoulder 106 causes the lever 102 to be swung on its pivotal connection with the arm 100 and the contact pieces 10S and 109 brought into engagement, thus completing the circuit 110 and firing the cap 21 and the powder charge 15. It will, of course be understood, that the spring 99 has sufficient tension to move the lever 102 in opposition to the spring 107.

lfn order to avoid friction between the wheel 47 and the frame 40, and at the same time prevent leakage between these parts, the grooves 48 and 49 are provided so that any water in the chamber 51 which tends to escape between the fiange 4S` and the frame will be caught by the grooves.

In order to reload the gun after it has.

been ired, it is necessary to remove the breech block and the spindle 22 and also the frame 40 must be moved out of the position shown in the drawings. The frame 40 being mounted on the hinge 88 may be swung around through an angle of approximately 90o as shown in dotted lines on Fig. 3 so that it will be entirely out of the way and will not interfere with the reloading of the gun. It is obvious, however, that the frame 40 can not be swung on the hinge 3S while the spindle 22 remains in the powder chamber, and therefore l have provided means for removing the spindle. This is accomplished by swinging the arm 100 on its pivot 101 through an angle of approximately 90o so that it will not interfere with the withdrawal of the wheel 47. The handle 46 may be grasped by the gunner inserting his hand between the spokes of the wheel 47. The handle 46 is turned through a and the mushroom may then be drawn rearwardly until the latch 112 which is carried by the breech block engages the recess 113 in the sleeve 41. From Figs. 1 and 3 it will be observed that an annular space is provided between the breech block and the mushroom extension 36 which is adapted to receive the sleeve 41 when the breech block is moved rearwardly. Before the latch 112 engages the groove 113 the corner 114 oi the breech block will strike a cam 115 having a hook 116 and slidingly held on the frame 40 by means of a suitable housing or casing 117. A spring 118 is arranged in the cam 115 and tends to move the latter' inwardly. The housing 117 is provided with an extension 119 having a V-shaped recess 120 which is adapted to receive the end of a hook 121 carried by the gun. The hooks A116 and 121 interengage for the purpose of latching the frame 40 in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 3. When the corner 114 of the breech block strikes the cam 115 the latter is pushed' downwardly and the hook 116 is disengaged from the hook 121 thus permitting the frame 40 to be swung around on the hinge 38.

A passage 122 is arranged in the lower end of the cylinder 70 and communication between this passage and the interior of the cylinder is controlled by means of a suitable check valve 123. This valve is provided with a downwardly extending stem 124 which projects through a stu'liing box 125 and is provided on its outer' end with a suitable knob 126. A spring 127 is arranged between the stufling box 125 and the knob 126 and normally holds the valve 123 on its seat. The pipe 93 has its lower end in communication with the passage 122 so that the water from the chamber 51 will pass down through the pipe 93 into the passage 122 and when the valve 123 is open this water will flow into the chamber 70. For the purpose of automatically opening the valve 123 after each firing, I have provided a suitable cam 128 which is carried by a rod 129 secured to a bracket 130 which is fixed to the gun. The cam 128 is so placed that when the frame 40 is swung around the knob 126 at the lower end of the stem 124 will engage the cam and lift the valve 123 off its seat. When the frame 40 is again swung back to the position shown in Fig. 3, knob 126 will be disengaged from the cam 128 and the spring 127 will close the valve 123. Then the cartridge 80 is fired, the pressure in the cylinder tends to force valve 123 against its seat so that leakage through the valve is avoided. After the frame 40 has been swung out of the way, a projectile and a powder charge are inserted in the gun and then the frame is swung back to the position shown in Fig. 3. The latch 112 will then be Withdrawn from the recess 113 and the breech block moved into closed position. As the corner 114 of the breech block moves out of engagement with the cam 115 the latter will be moved inwardly by spring 118. Hooks 116 and 121 again engage and lock the frame 40 in position when frame 40 is swung back to firing position. The breech block is then swung around by means of the handle 111 and thereby secured in its closed position. The spindle 22 -v and the wheel 47 are then inserted, the tapering 1nner end on the spindle forcing the pawl 26 outwardly and permitting the spindle to enter the recess 23. The arm 100 being then swung to the position shown -in Fig. 3 and the new cartridge inserted and the firing mechanism for the cartridge adjusted, the gun is ready to be retired.

In Fig. 7 I have shown a modication in which the same mechanism as is shown in Figs. 1 to 6 may be employed for rotating the projectile, except that in this modification it is not necessary to take out the turbine wheel and the spindle in order to swing the mechanism on the hinge 38. The gun may be the same as that shown in the other modiiication but the projectile 140 has a conical end 141 to which isv secured in any suitable manner a rod 142. The projectile has arranged thereon a soft metal ring l143 having a partial groove 144 and an outwardly projecting flange 145 which is adapted to engage the shoulder 17 of the gun and to stop the projectile at the proper point when it is rammed into the gun. The lange 145 will be turned into the groove 144 when the projectile is forced out of the gun by the powder gases, the flange then acting as a cup valve to prevent the gas from escaping along the exterior of the projectile. The gun is provided with the usual breech block 11, the mushroom 12 and the packing 13. The mushroom is also provided with the extension 3G. In this modiiication the spindle 22 for rotating the projectile is provided with anA enlarged end 146 which is arranged in a suitable recess in the mushroom 12 and serves to retain the packing 147 in place.

Any suitable clutch mechanism may be pr0- A vided for connecting the head 146 with the rod 142, and for purposes of illustration I have shown in Figs. 47 and 8 a series of rollers 148 which are arranged longitudinally oi the spindle 22 in suitable walls 149 in the head 146. Referring to Fig. 8 lit will be seen that these walls are narrower at one side than at the other, and by this means the rollers 148 will be pressed against the rod 142 to be rotated with the head 146 when the latter moves in the direction of the arrow. lVhen the spindle 22 is stopped and the projectile continues to rotate, it will be seen that the rollers 148 will be carried into the wider part of the slots 149 and release the rod from the head 146.

In Fig. 9 I have shown another form of clutch means for connecting the projectile with the spindle. In this construction the spindle 22a is provided with a conical threaded end 150, the threads thereof being preferably of the saw tooth type. The projectile is provided with a corresponding threaded recess 151 and the spindle 22a has a longitudinal bore extending therethrough in which is arranged a thrust rod 153 having at its inner end a head 154 which engages the bottom of the recess 151. The spindle 22a extends through the mushroom extension 86 and lis provided with a collar 155 which is arranged in the recess in the outer end of the mushroom extension. A freespace 156 is provided for the collar 155, this space permitting the spindle to be moved rearwardly a suilicient distance -to permit the disengagement of the threaded end 150 from the projectile. rIhe turbine wheel 47a has an inwardly projecting hub 157 provided with a flange 158, this flange coperating with a ring 159 which is secured to the block 160 for the purpose of holding the wheel against aXial movement7 but permitting the wheel to rotate relative to the block. The block 160 has a recess in its outer side in which is arranged a suitable spring 161, this spring bearing against the bottom of said recess and also against an abutment 162 on the spindle 22a and tending to move the spindle outwardly. The wheel 47 L is keyed to the spindle 22a and carries the centrifugal weights 94 which are adapted to move a sleeve 97 along the spindle for the purpose hereinbefore described. 'Ihe arrangement of this'governing mechanism may be the same as that shown in Fig. 3. At its outer end the spindle 22L carries a hand wheel 163 by means of which the spindle may be rotated to engage the threaded end 150 thereof with the threaded recess lin the projectile. The rod projects beyond the outer end of the spindle 22a and Yis provided with a head 164 which engages an adjustable abutment or screw 165 carried by a lever 166 which is pivoted at 167 to the frame 40. A latch member 168 is also pivoted to the frame 40 and is adapted to engage the upper end of Vthe lever 166 and hold the same in position.

The operation of the mechanism just described is as follows: The projectile and the powder charges having been loaded into the gun and thel breech block having been closed the spindle 22n is inserted and secured in .position by means of the block 160, this block having screw-threaded engagement with the mushroom extension as in the modifications hereinabove described. When the gun is being prepared for firing the lever 166 will hang in the dotted position shown and after the `spindle 22a has been inserted the lever 166 is swung to the position shown in full lines and latched by means of the latch member 168. The spindle 22a is rotated so that the end 150 thereofl engages the threaded recess in the projectile, thus forming a positive connection between the spindle and the projectile. When the projectile has been rotated in the manner hereinbefore described and the brake 5 7 applied the spindle 22"L will be stopped and the porjectile continuing to rotate will become disengaged from the threaded end 150 of the spindle and move the spindle rearwardly a sufiicient distance to elfect this disengagement. The thrust rod 153 will then hold the projectile in its position in the gun and prevent the projectile from slipping back against the end of the spindle 22a or the powder charge. After the gun has been fired the lever 166 may be swung down to the dotted position to permit the wheel 47a and the spindle 22L to be removed.

In Fig. 10 I have shown a modification of the arrangement shown in Fig. 9 and in which a projectile similar to that shown in Fig. 7 is used. In this modication the thrust rod 153n bears against the end of the rod 142a which is secured to the projectile and holds the projectile in position inthe gun. The end of the rod 142 has a conical threaded portion 170 which is similar to the threaded end 15() of the rod 153 and which engages a threaded recess in the end 171 of the spindle 22h. A space 172 is provided at the rear of the enlarged end 171 of the spindle 22h, this space peri-nitting the spindle to be moved rearward a sufficient distance to effect a disengagement of the rod 142n from the spindle. Otherwise the construction may be the same as shown in Fig. 9. As in the construction shown in Fig. 9 the thrust rod 153"L will hold the projectile in position after the rod 142v has become disengaged from the spindle 22h.

Under certain conditions it may be desirable to dispense with the water used to actuate ther wheel 47, and this may be done by using the cylinder as a powder chamber and employing the powder gases to rotate the wheel 47, and therefore where I use the term explosion pump in the claims I include the use of all devices which effect the rotation of the wheel 47 by the explosion of a powder charge.

Having described my invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is,

1. rIhe combination with a gun, of means for rotating the projectile within the gun before the gun is fired, said means comprising a lluid actuated motor and an explosion pump for supplying fluid under high pressure to said motor.

2. The combination with a gun, of means for rotating the projectile within the gun before the gun is fired, said means comprising a rotary motor and an explosion pump for supplying pressure liuid to said motor for actuating the same.

3. The combination with a gun having a breech block, of a spindle extending through the breech block, means for connecting the spindle with a projectile in the gun, an impact Wheel on said spindle and an explosion pump for supplying pressure fluid to said impact wheel to actuate the same.

el.. The combination with a breech loading gun and its breech block, of a spindle extending through the breech block, a clutch device for connecting the spindle with a. projectile in the gun, whereby the spindle is adapted to rotate the projectile and to permit the projectile to rotate when the spindle is stationary, a motor for rotating said spindle and an explosion pump for supplying pressure fluid to said motor for actuating the saine.

5. The combination with a breech loading gun, of a breech block, a spindle extending through said breech block, means for connecting said spindle with a projectile in the gun, whereby the spindle is adapted to rotate the projectile, an impact Wheel mounted on the outer end of the spindle, a nozzle for said impact wheel, a chamber adapted to contain liquid, a pipe connecting said cham- .ber and said nozzle and means for supplying pressure to the surface of said liquid to .force the latter through said nozzle and against said wheel to rotate the latter.

G. The combination with a gun, of a wheel adapted to rotate a projectile in the gun, a nozzle for said wheel, a chamber adapted to contain liquid, a pipe connecting said chamber with said nozzle, and means for subjecting the liquid in said chamber to pressure, whereby the liquid is forced through said nozzle and against said wheel.

7. The combination with a. gun, and the breech block thereof, of a spindle extending through said block, an impact Wheel on said Spindle, a nozzle for said wheel, a chamber adapted to contain liquid, a pipe connecting said chamber with said nozzle and means for firing an explosive in said chamber above said liquid to force the liquid through said nozzle and against said wheel.

v8. The combination with a gun and the breech block thereof, of a spindle extending through said breech block and adapted to be connected with a projectile. in the gun for rotating the same, an impact Wheel connected with said spindle and adapted to rotate said projectile', a brake adapted to normally hold said spindle against rotation, a cha-mber adapted to contain liquid, means for conveying liquid from said chamber to said Wheel for rotating the latter, means adapted to be actuated by said liquid for releasing said brake, and means for applying pressure to the surface of said liquid.

9. The combination with a gun and the breech block thereof, of a spindle extending through said breech block and having an impact wheel thereon, a nozzle for said wheel, a brake for said wheel, a chamber adapted to contain liquid, means for conveying liquid from said chamber to said nozzle, means whereby said liquid is adapted to release said 'brake and means for applying pressure to said liquid.

10. The combination with a gun and the breech block thereof, of a spindle extending through said breech bleek, a turbine wheel on Said spindle, a bralte for said wheel, means for normally setting said brake, a chamber adapted to contain liquid, means for conveying liquid from said chamber to said wheel for rotating the latter, fluid actuated means for releasing said brake and means for applying pressure to the surface of the liquid in said chamber.

11. A breech-loading gun having in combination a turbine wheel connected directly with the projectile in the gun, and a nozzle arranged transversely of the axis of the gun 99 and adapted to discharge against said wheel.

l2. A breech-lmiding gun, having in combination a turbine wheel connected directly with the projectile in the gun, and a plurality of oppositely ar 'anged nozzles arranged transversely of the axis of the gun and adapted to discharge against said wheel.

13. A breech-loading gun having in combination a turbine wheel connected directly with the projectile in the gun, a nozzle for 10o delivering fluid to said wheel and arranged transversely of the axis of the gun, a fluid supply chamber arranged adjacent the gun, and a conduit connecting said chamber and said nozzle.

l-l. A ln'eech-loading gun having in combination a turbine wheel connected directly with the projectile in the gun, a. nozzle for delivering pressure lluid to said wheel and arranged transversely of the axis of the gun, l] o a fluid supply chamber arranged adjacent the gun, and means whereby the fluid is discharged from. said cl'iam-ber through said nozzle. l

l5. A breech-loading gun having in com- 115 bination a turbine wheel connected directly with the projectile in the gun, a nozzle for delivering fluid to said wheel and arranged transversely of the axis of the gun, a source of liuid pressure energy, and means for con- 120 trolling said energy.

16. The combination with a gun, of a tur` bine wheel connec ed directly with a projectile in the gun, a nozzle fitr said wheel. a chamber adapted to contain liquid, a pipe 125 connecting said chamber' with said nozzle, and means for subjecting the liquid in said chamber to pressure whereby the liquid is forced through said nozzle and against said Wheel. 13o

17. A breech-loading gun provided with two powder chambers, and fluid pressure means whereby the projectile is rotated in the gun by the explosion of the powder in one of said chambers before the explosion oi' the powder in the other chamber.

18. A breeCh-lOading gun provided with two powder chambers, means whereby the powder charges in said chambers are adapted to be fired in succession, and fluid pressure means whereby the explosion of one of said powder charges is adapted to rotate the projectile in the gun before the explosion of the powder in the other chamber.

19. A breech-loading gnn provided with a smooth bore and two powder chambers, and meansv whereby the explosion of the powder' charge in one of said chambers gives rotation to the projectile, the powder charge in the vother of said chambers forcing the projectile out of the gun.

20. A breech-loading gun provided with a smooth bore and two powder chambers, one of which is arranged exterior-ly of the gun barrel, and means whereby the explosion of the powder charge in said exteriorly arranged chamber is adapted to rotate the projectile.

21. A breech-loading gun provided with a smooth bore and twopowder chambers, one of which is arranged exteriorly of the gun barrel, and means whereby the energy of the powder charge in said exteriorly arranged chamber is employed to rotate the projectile, the powder charge in the other of said chambers being employed to force the projectile out of the gun.

22. A breech loading gun Ihaving a smooth bore and provided with a powder chamber arranged between the projectile and the b-reech block, a second powder chamber and means whereby the explosion of the powder charge in said second chamber is adapted to rotate the projectile.

23'. A breech loading gun having a smooth bore and provided with a powder chamber between the breech block and the projectile, a second powder chamber arranged exteriorly of the gun barrel and means whereby the explosion of the powder in said second chamber is adapted to rotate the projectile in the gun before the explosion of the powder in said first mentioned chamber.

24. A breech loading` gun having a smooth bore and provided with a powder chamber arranged between the breech block and the projectile, a second powder chamber, means whereby the explosion of the powder charge in said second chamber is adap-ted to rotate the projectile, and means whereby the powder charge in said first mentioned chamber is exploded after said projectile is rotated.

25. A breech loading gun having a smooth bore and provided with a powder chamber so arranged that the explosion of the powder therein forces the projectile out oi' the gun, a second powder chamber, and means whereby the explosion of the powder in said second chamber is adapted to rotate the projectile without moving it longitudinally of firing the powder charge in said first chamber after said projectile has been set in ro= tation.

27. In a breech-loading gun having a smooth bore, a powder chamber located out of axial alinement with the bore of the gun, and means whereby the explosion of the powder in said chamber is adapted to rotate the projectile;

2S. In a breecl1-loading gun, a powder chamber arranged in axial alinement with the bore of the gun, rearwardly of the projectile, a second powder chamber located out of axial alinement with the bore of the gun, and means whereby the explosion of the powder charge in said second chamber is adapted to rotate the projectile before it moves longitudinally of the gun.

29. In a breech-loading gun, a powder chamber arranged in axial alinement with the bore of the gun, a second powder chamber located out of axial alinement with the bore of the gun, and means for firing the powder charges in said chambers in succession, the charge in the first mentioned chamber being lired last.

30. In a gun, a powder chamber arranged in axial alinement with the bore of the gun, a second powder chamber located out of axial alinement with the bore of the gun, means for iiring the powder charge in said second chamber, and automatic means for ring the powder charge in the lirst chamber after the charge in the second chamber has been fired. Y

3l. In a gun, the combination oi a breechblock, a mushroom carried by the breech block and having a rearward extension, a Jframe having a sleeve through which the mushroom extension passes, a spindle extending axially through said mushroom, a motor operatively connectedwith the outer end of said spindle and adapted to rotate the projectile, and means whereby said spindle is held in said mushroom extension and adapted to be removed rearwardly therefrom.

32. In a gun, the combination of a breech block, a mushroom having an extension through the breech block, a frame having a Aeo sleeve through which said mushroom extension passes, a spindle extending longitudinally through said mushroom extension and adapted to be connected with the projectile to rotate the same, a motor secured to the outer end of said spindle, and means for holding said spindle in said mushroom extension and adapted to permit the spindle to be removed therefrom.

33. In a gun, the combination of a breech block, a frame hinged to the gun at the rear thereof, a spindle extending through the breech block, a liquid impulse wheel carried by said frame and adapted to rotate said spindle, means for supplying liquid under pressure to said wheel to rotate the same, a receptacle adapted to receive said liquid from said wheel, a conduit connecting said receptacle with said means, a valve in said conduit and means for automatically opening said valve to permit the liquid to flow from said receptacle to said means when said frame is swung out of its position at the rear of the gun.

34. In a gun, the combination of a breech block, a frame hinged to the gun, a spindle extending through the breech block and having a bearing in said frame and adapted to be connected with the projectile in the gun, an impulse wheel on the outer end of said spindle, an explosion pump carried by said frame, means for conveying liquid from said pump to said wheel to operate the latter, a receptacle carried by said frame and adapted to receive the liquid'from said wheel, a conduit connecting said receptacle with said pump to return the liquid to the pump, a normally closed valve in said conduit and means for automatically opening said valve Awhen said frame is swung out of its position at the rear of the gun.

35. In a gun, the combination of Va breech block, a spindle extending through the breech block and adapted to be connected with the projectile in the gun, an impulse wheel on the outer end of said spindle, an explosion pump, a conduit adapted to convey 4liquid from said pump to said wheel, a brake for said wheel, a cylinder, a piston in said cylinder and connected with said brake, a conduit connecting the interior of said cylinder with said pump whereby one side of said piston in the cylinder is subjected to the pump pressure and said brake is released when liquid is delivered to said wheel. 36. In a gun, the combination of a main powder charge, means for exploding said charge, means for rotating the projectile in the gun before the main powder charge is exploded, and means automatically actuating said exploding means after the projectile has been set in rotation.

37. In a gun, the combination of a main powder charge, means for exploding said charge, means for rotating the projectile in the gun before the main powder charge is exploded, and a controlling device for said exploding means actuated by said rotating means.

38. In a gun, the combination of amain powder charge, means for exploding said charge, fluid actuated means for rotating the projectile in the gun before the main powder charge is exploded, and means controlled by said fluid actuated means forI actuating said exploding means.

. 39. In a gun, the combination of a main powder charge, electrical means for exploding said charge, fluid actuated means for rotating the projectile in the gun before the main powder charge is exploded, and means controlled by said fluid actuated means for actuating said exploding means.

40. In a gun, the combination of a main powder charge arranged between the projectile and the breech block, means for exploding said powder charge, a motor adapted to rotate the projectile in t-he gun before said main powder charge is exploded, a

governor actuated by saidA motor and means whereby said governor is adapted to actuate said exploding means when said motor comes to rest after l.having rotated the projcctile.

41. In a gun, the combination of a mai powder charge arranged between the pro'- j ectile and the breech block, electrically operated means forexploding said charge, a motor adapted to rotate the projectile in the gun before the main powder charge is exploded, a governor actuated by said motor and means actuated by said governor when it A comes to rest for closing an electric circuit to operate said exploding means.

41:2. In a gun, the combination of a main powder charge arranged between the pro- 'l j ectile and the breech block, electrically operated exploding means for said powder l charge, a motor adapted to rotate the projectile before the main powder charge is exploded, a centrifugal governor actuated by said motor andY including means resisting the movement of the governor by centrifugal force, and a member movable by the centrifugal elements of the governor in one direction and by said last mentioned means in the opposite direction, and a switch adapted to be actuated by said member when moved by said last mentioned means to close an electric circuit to operate said exploding means.

113. A breech loading gun having in combination with the breech block, a spindle extending through the breech block, means for connecting the spindle with a projectile in the gun, means for rotating the spindle, and means for positively holding the proj ectile against movement toward the breech block.

afl. In a breech loading gun, the combination with a breech block, of a spindle extending through the breech block7 means for necting the spindle with the projectile and adapted to become automatically disengaged when the projectile rotates faster than the spindle, and means tor holding the projectile against movement toward the breech block after it has become disengaged from the spindle.

4G. In a breech loading gun, the combination With the breech block, of a spindle eX- tending through the breech block, means for rotating the spindle, means for connecting the spindle With a projectile in the gun and adapted to become disconnected when the projectile rotates 'faster than the spindle, and a rod extending longitudinally through the spindle and adapted to prevent the proj ectile from moving toward the breech block tending through the breech block, means for connectingthe spindle with a projectile in the gun, means at the outer end of the splndle for rotating the same, and a thrust rod extending through the spindle and having its inner end in engagement with the projectile and its outer end in engagement with an abutment.

4S. In a breech loading gun, the combination with the breech block, of a spindle extending through the breech block, means adapted to connect the inner end of the spindle with the projectile, means for rotating the spindle, a thrust ro-d extending through the spindle and having its inner end in engagement with the projectile, and an adjustable abutment engagii'ig the outer end of the thrust rod wherebj1 the thrust rod is adapted to hold the projectileagainst movement toward the breech block.

JOHN PATTEN.-

lVitnesses:

MARY M. MAGRAW, MARY L. ,Ann.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

